Method of and apparatus fob curling



June 28, 1938. R. F. SEDGLEY 20,774

IETHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CURLING STRAND MATERIAL Original Filed July1'7, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR W LYJ BY r 1% #M ATTORNEY June 28,1938. R. F. SEDGLEY 20,774

IETHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR CURLING STRAND MATERIAL Original Filed July17, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Reisoued June 28, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE salmon or AND msaa'ros ron comma s'rimvn m'ramsn Reginald-F.Sedgley, Philadelphia, Pa... in

to John W. Gottschalk Manufacturing Philadelphia, n, a corporation ofPennsylvania SClalml.

My present invention relates to a novel method -of and apparatus forcurling or coiling strand material.

The strand material may be round or the round strand may be deformed toprovide any desired contour in cross section. The deforming operation,if employed, may be performed separately from or simultaneously with thecurling operation.

In my Reissue Patent No. 18,576, I have described and broadly claimed anovel Method of and machine for curling, wherein the strand is drawnunder tension over a curling edge to impart to it an inherent tendencyto form a helical coil when released from tension.

In my present invention the strand, preferably a metallic strand, passesdirectly from the deforming rolls, if the contour of the strand in crosssection is to be changed, or directly from tensioned spools to arevolving mandrel which latter may be round or have any desired contourin cross section. As the strand winds around the mandrel, it issubjected to a frictional pressure which facilitates the automaticremoval of the coiled strand from the mandrel.

The rolling may be done in, the same machine or in a separate machine.

a The coiled strand may be tangled, or reeled, and formed into bunches,or otherwise treated and packaged in accordance with the manner in whichit is to be used.

. One or more strands may be curled at a time around the same mandreland collected on a single reel or on difierent reels, and, in practice,five separate strands have been simultaneously coiled to form a singleflexible metallic bunch.

With the above and other objects in view as, will hereinafter fullyappear, my invention comprehends a novel method of and apparatus forcurling or coiling strand material.

It further comprehends a novel method of and apparatus for curling oneor more strands, wherein one or more strands are passed directly to arevolving and preferably tapered mandrel around which they are wound bythe revolution of the mandrel and during the winding they are subjectedto a frictional pressure which facilitates the progressive removal ofthe helical coils from the mandrel.

Other novel features of construction and advantage will hereinafter moreclearly appear in the detailed description and the appended claims.

For, the purpose of illustrating the invention, I have shown in theaccompanying drawings typical embodiments of it, which in practice, willgive satisfactory and reliable results. It is, however, to be understoodthat the various instrumentalities of which my invention consists can bevariously arranged and organized, and my invention is not limited to theexact arrangement and organization of these instrumentalities as hereinset forth.

Figure l is a perspective view of an apparatus for curling strandmaterial, and which may be employed in carrying out in practice my novelmethod.

Figure 2 is a section of a spool and its holder, the section being takensubstantially on line 2-1 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the curling apparatus, taken at adiiferent angle from that seen in Figure l.

Figure 4 is a section taken substantially on line 4-4 of Figure 3,showing the pressure adjusting means for a friction roll.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of a combined machine embodying myinvention, and, in which, one or more strands are rolled and curled atthe same time in the same machine. a

Figure 6 is a side elevation of the mandrel shaft, with one form ofmandrel shown in section.

. Figure 7 shows cross sectional views of different forms of mandrels. 1

Figure 8 is a side elevation of a portion of the curling mechanism.showing more particularly driving mechanism.

Figure 9 is a side elevation of Figure 8.

Figure '10 is a top plan view of the curling mandrel and certain of itsadjuncts.

Similar numerals indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings:

Referring first to Figures 1 to 4, I will first de scribe a preferredconstruction whichcan'be employed in performing the curling operation,since the name curling mechanism is illustrated in connection with thecombined rolling and curling machine seen in Figure 1.

The curling mechanism The curling mechanism is provided with a base I.to which a frame 2, of any desired or conventional construction, issecured. 3 designates a tapered mandrel which is threaded at one end toadapt it to be detachably connected with a shaft 4 journalled in theframe 2. This mandrel of power, and, for purpose of illustration I havebelt II p around the pulley l2 and around a variable speed pulley 14 onthe shaft 4 to efl'ect the revolution at a desired speed of the mandrel3. A strand it, of material to be curled, passes through a slot in theguide or comb It to the curling mandrel I, and one or more strands maypass through separate openings or the same opening in the guide II. Aspool support II, has a spindle ill to receive a spool l9, on'which thestrand to be curled is wound. Each spool is provided in some manner withmeans to produce a drag tending to retard the revolution of the spool soas to keep the strand taut as it is being unwound'from its spool andwhile it is passing to the mandrel. 'This may be accomplished by theweight of a spool on its support or on another spool or by any desiredtype of frictional spool tensioning means such as is well known in theart. The spool may have frictional material between it and its support.

As the strands are wound around the mandrel 3, the coils of the strandsare subjected to a frictional presure from a friction roll revolublymounted on a carrier 22, the pin, of the roller passing through a slot23, see Figure 4. An adjusting rod 24 is grooved at 25 to enter a slot28 and prevent longitudinal movement of the adjusting rod. The forwardend of the adjusting rod 24 is threaded to the carrier 2| so that thefriction roll 20 can be adjusted relatively to the mandrel 3. Thebracket 22 has connected with it a rod 21 which passes through aninclined slot 28 in a bracket 30 secured to the machine frame, and a nut8| threaded on the rod 21 secures the bracket 22 in its adjusted angularposition, so that the friction roll may have its face disposed at anangle to the axis of rotation of the mandrel-S. The friction roll 20 isthus free to revolve when brought into contact with the revolvingmandrel 3, and, if it is angularly disposed relatively to the curlingmandrel, it facilitates the progressive removal of the coils from thefree end of the curling mandrel.

. The curled strand or strands pass from the free end of thecurlingmandrel over a slowly revolving roll 32, preferably provided with agroove 33 to position the curled strand or strands. The roll 32 isdriven from the shaft 4 by a belt 34, see Figure 8, passing around apulley 35 on the shaft 4 and around a pulley 38 on a worm shaft 31. The,worm meshes with a pinion 38 on a stud shaft 39 which carries a pulley40 around which a belt 4| which also passes around a pulley 42 fixed tothe shaft of the revolving roll I2. The strand carrying spools may bemounted in any desired manner. The main spool l9, see Figure l, ismounted in the spool support I! adjustably'secured tothe frame, and theheaded spindle 18 has a tension adjusting member 43 in the form of arecessed nut to move a spring 44 against a head of the strand carryingspool, see Figure 2. Auxiliary strand carrying spools may be mounted inany desired manner. In Figures 1 and 2, I have shown a spool holder 4!the spindle of which carries the auxiliary spools 48 and 41 so thatthree strands are curled at the same time. Any

desired number of strand carrying spools may be used. nd in practice Ihave curled five strands at the same time to form a single bunch on theconstruction illustrated. The lower strand carrying spool is tensionedby the friction of its lower head on its support, and the upper spool byfrictional engagement with the lower spool. The frictional drag thusformed can be increased by supplying friction creating material to thelower heads of the spools or in any other desired manner.

After the curled strand passes from the revolving roll, it may betangled, reeled or treated in anydesired or conventional manner to formmetallic bunches. As illustrated, it is reeled into skein formation on areel 48 rotatably mounted on the frame 2, and having its shaft 49provided with a pulley 50, around which a belt 5! passes. The belt 5ipasses also around a pulley 52 and around a pulley 53 on the shaft 49.

The curled strand accumulates on the reel until it is of a desired sizeand the operator cuts the strand, removes the skein, and allows it tocontract to form a flexible metallic bunch. The operator then winds thefree end of the cut strand around an arm of the reel, and the operationis repeated.

I make no claim to the reeling mechanism per se, as the curled strand orstrands may be bunched or skeined in any desired manner.

In Figure '7, I have shown a few of many forms of curling mandrels whichcan be advantageously employed. At 54, the mandrel is shown. as round incross section. Y At 55, it is shown as having six sides: at 56 as havingthree sides; and at I! as having four sides. The curling mandrel ispreferably tapered but it may be in the form of a cylindrical rod ortube.

My present invention is especially adapted, although not limited to suchuse, for curling a metallic strand a few ten thousandths in thicknessfor the formation of flexible metallic bunches for use in cleaning andpolishing any desired articles or materials.

As herein disclosed the strand may be rolled in a separate rolling unit,to any desired contour in cross section, spooled and the spools used onthe curling apparatus which has its own motor drive. It may also berolled and curled in the same machine as shown in Figure 1 wherein theconstruction for rolling and cycle-of operation is substantially thesame as that shown in my reissue patent, to which I have hereinbeforereferred, and which is now well known in this art.

The individual motor drive for the curling mechanism as herein disclosedmay be employed in the combined rolling and curling machine, or theshaft 4 of the curling mechanism may be operatively connected in anydesired manner with the driving means for the rolls which change thecontour of the strand in cross section. The preferred form of strand isa round wire, which is flattened'to form four abrading edges.

The deforming rolls I8 are driven by a belt drive It from an electricmotor 80. A plurality of strand carrying spools 6| are carried by aspool holder 82, provided with a tension device 63 for each spool. Thestrands pass between the rolls Land therefrom to. the strand guide andthe curling mandrel. The shaft 4, in Figure 1, is driven by a belt 64,passing around a pulley 65 on the shaft 4, and around a pulley on theshaft of the driving roll of the rolls 58. The rolls I8 place a tensionor drag on the strands passing to the curling mandrel.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that, in carrying out in practicemy novel method, the strand or strands are held taut between the rollsand the curling mandrel, or between the spools and the curling mandrelin case the wire has been preformed to provide the desired crosssectional contour. The strand or strands in the curlins operation passfrom the rolls 58 as in Figure 1 or from the spools as in the otherfigures around a revolving mandrel, preferably tapered, and

drawings and description.

,against the curl around the mandrel and a plurality of strands can becurled to form a continuous helical coil the coils of which areprogressively pushed off the mandrel by the coils in rear of them. Tofacilitate the progressive removal of the coils as they are formed fromthe curling mandrel, I employ a rolling frictional pressure coils on themandrel and this pressure is preferably applied at an angle to the axisof rotation of the curling mandrel.

The strand after curling is in the form of coreless helical metallicstrands, the coils of which can be interlocked in any desired manner toform a bunch ofsubstantlally fixed formation, but which is flexible andresilient, and, due to the tension inherent in the strands, the bunchwhen stretched and released will return to substantially its originalformation. This enables one to maintain the bunch in a sanitarycondition as it can be scrubbed, when stretched, with soap and water orother cleansing fluid to remove grease or other foreign matter adheringto it.

Any desired number of curling mechanisms can be assembled in a singlemachine with a common drive for the shafts 4, the rolls 32, the reels isand the flattening rolls, and as this will be clear to one skilled inthis art, it is not deemed necessary to illustrate and describe indetail a multiple mandrel machine of such character, as it would involveunnecessary duplication in the I have illustrated and described afriction roll 20, and, while I prefer to employ it, it can be omitted ifdesired as well as the revolving roll 32. In such case, the reelrevolves at a suitable speed relatively to the curling mandrel to drawthe coiled strand directly from the curling mandrel. The friction rollIll, if employed,'is preferably of resilient material.

In accordance with this invention, the uncurled strand passescontinuously as long as the supply lasts to the curling mandrel andautomatically passes of! the forward end of the mandrel.

The length of the curled or coiled strand is dependent only on theamount of wire at the strand supply.

It'will now be apparent that I have devised a new and useful method ofand apparatus for curling strand material which embodies the features ofadvantage enumerated as desirable in the statement of the invention andthe above description, and while I have, in the present instance, shownand described preferredembodiments thereof which will give in practicesatisfactory and reliable results, it is to be understood thatthese-embodiments are susceptible of modification in various particularswithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention orsacrificing any of its advantages.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

l. The method of curling a plurality of metallic strands, which consistsin simultaneously the independent and simultaneous curling of each ofthe plurality of strands.

3. The method of curling a plurality of metallic strands, which consistsin simultaneously passing a plurality of metallic strands to a single,revolving mandrel, subjecting the first turn. of each strand on themandrel to the pressure of the yielding surface of a revoluble roll tocause the independent curling of each of the plurality of strands, andwithdrawing the curled strands from the mandrel in the form of a singlecord with adjacent coils of the different strands interlocked.

4. The method of curling a plurality of strands around a singlerevolving mandrel, which consists in simultaneously curling a pluralityof metallic strands around a single mandrel and withdrawing theplurality of curled strands from the mandrel inthe form of a single cordwith adjacent coils of different strands interlocked.

5. In a curling apparatus, a strand supply. a positively drivenrevoluble mandrel, around which a strand is drawn from the strand supplyby the revolution of the mandrel, means to revolve the mandrel, andmeans to exert the frictional, yielding pressure of a roll having itsperipherial portion of rubber against the first turn of the strand onthe mandrel to cause the curling of the strand in the form of a corelesshelical strand.

6. In a curling apparatus, a plurality of sources of supply of metallicstrands, a single revoluble mandrel around which a plurality of strandsare drawn by the revolution of the mandrel, means to revolve themandrel, and means to withdraw the curled strands from the mandrelin'the form of a single cord with adjacent coils of different strandsinterlocked.

'7. In a curling apparatus, a spool holder, a spool thereon containing ametallic strand, a tension device for the spool, deforming rolls towhich the strand passes from the spool, a revoluble mandrel receivingthe deformed strand, a roller having a r siiient portion exerting ayielding, frictional p ure against the first turns of the strand aro dthe mandrel, and means to revolve said deforming rolls and mandrel at aconstant speed.

8. In acurling apparatus,- a spool holder, a spool "thereon containing ametallic strand, a tension device for the spool, deforming rolls towhich the strand passes from the spool, a revoluble mandrel receivingthe deformed strand, a roller having a resilient portion exerting ayielding, frictional pressure against the first turns of the strandaround the mandrel, a strand guide in proximity to the mandrel, andmeans to revolve said deforming rolls and mandrel at a con- 10 stantspeed.

REGINALD F. BEDGLIY.

